Why were the Weasleys Poor?

Magic has limitations in creating resources. Conjuring items out of thin air does not last. The Weasleys were poor because Arthur worked in a low-paying job and Molly was a housewife.

Weasleys’ Source of Income

Arthur Weasley works at the Ministry of Magic in a low-paying job. Molly Weasley is a housewife. The Weasleys have many children to support. Fred and George drop out of school to run their own business, but it is unclear if their profits support the family. The Weasleys win the Daily Prophet Grand Prize Galleon draw, but use the money for a trip to Egypt instead of improving their financial situation. Despite their limited income, the Weasleys provide for their children’s basic needs.

Weasleys’ Access to Basic Needs

The Weasleys have a clean and organized home with enough space for everyone. They do not have to worry about violence or break-ins. All of their children receive a proper education and they have access to food.

Societal Perception of the Weasleys

The Weasley family is respected for their magical abilities. However, some pure-blood families look down on them due to their openness to relating with non-magical people and lack of wealth. The Weasleys have social inclusion and certain privileges but their financial situation affects their social status.

Weasleys’ Financial Situation

The Weasley family is depicted as poor. They struggle to make ends meet with Arthur working at the Ministry and Molly being a housewife. They have a small amount of money in their vault and incur fines. Despite their struggles, they send their children to Hogwarts, save for Christmas and summer holidays, and provide for their basic needs. Their financial situation improves when their children move out.

Limitations of Magic and Scarcity

How can any wizards be poor when they can do magic?

Magic has limitations in creating resources. Conjuring items out of thin air does not last. This scarcity impacts characters like the Weasleys. In fantasy role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons, magic can potentially create a post-scarcity economy. However, magic requires knowledge, training, and resources. Access to magic is not evenly distributed and there are still constraints on resource creation.